Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-09-01

The Dependent Pension Veto.

To the editor of the alexandria Gazette:
No public act of President Cleveland has
received more applause from impartial and
patriotic citizens of all sections Than the veto
of the dependent pension bill; nor has any
brought upon him so large share Of de-
nuncation and unreasonable abuse from
partisan journals, and that for the most part
self.seeking and sordid organization, the
Grand Army Of the Republic. 1t has never
been questioned that i: the veto had emana-
ted from republican executive it would
haze gone nearly unchallenged the gray
aman is that democratic President should
interpose official authority 10 prevent this
shameless misrepresentation OF the public
money.
We have been told over and over again
that this is the first time any general pen
sion bin has been vetoed, and we are asked
to believe that on this account it was an
outrage for President Cleveland to veto this
one. The New York EUening Posi- does
valuable service in calling attention to the
fact that while the popular impression is
literally correct, it fought not to be forgot
ten that Gen. Grant was really the first
President to take stand in defense of the
public treasury and the national honor
against the claim agents and tho dema-
gogues who profess SO ardent an affection
for the veterans"
This he did by pocket veto in March:
1875, of the equalization of bounties bill. In
the first year or two of the war the bounties
paid for enlistments in the federal service
were far smaller than they were subse-
quently. 1t was proposed to equaiize these
bounties by paying those who got the
| 4 kla koEr
what they received and what was
No more shameless plan of robbing the pub
lie Golfers was ever devised, and the n. Y.
Tribune estimated that it might, if enacted,
The same journal denounced it as the slow
est and worst" of "all the disreputable
schemes invented by damagogues to deplete
the treasury and make party capital add
Ing on the general question that Sin pay and
bounties and pensions already provided for,
the soldiers of the late war have been lioer-
orally rewarded. The whole people know
it; the world has wondered at and admired
the generous treatment they have received,
and the soldiers themselves. with the excep-
lion perhaps of here and there q lazy bum
mer, have been amply satisfied"
In spite Of all this the bill went through
both houses of Congress and would have be
come law but, on being presented a few
hours before the expiration of the session,
to President Grant he refused his signature
The Tribune warmly applauded the act,
COUGHING an article on the subject in these
words 1.-The country owes President Grant
hearty thanks-and all honest and manly
men will recognize the obligation-by say
Jog not only the treasury from such raid,
but the nation from making such disgrace
full spectacle of itself"
The same paper. as every body knows,
holds altogether different language now. and
finds no words too harsh for condemnation
of similar act on the part of President
Cleveland. Even the example of Grant in
this connection is insufficient to shield him
from republican detractior.
L. NJ. B.
Fairfax county, Va, Sept. l, 1887.